What
do you get when an expatriated Bostonian brings his "Beantown" influence
to the Caribbean and opens a restaurant? The Sharkbite Bar & Grill,
of course! Jon and his friendly staff have been serving up a consistent
menu of fun, value, good service and great food for the past 10 years.
Located in the southeast corner of the Bermuda Triangle, in the heart of
Turtle of Cove Marina, residents and tourists alike make The Sharkbite
a favourite meeting place for a taste of local fare and international favourites.
Catch the latest game, try your skill at darts or put your luck to the test with video poker in their Sports Bar. An eclectic and curious assortment of sports memorabilia and shark paraphernalia garnishes the walls and ceilings where a boisterous good time is always available on the menu! Or, take it down a notch in the dining room's own bar - a popular watering hole for locals and tourists. Keith, a native of Grand Turk, has long been serving up island libations from behind the bar. (See Bartender Mar/Apr 06) Frozen Margaritas, Daiquiris and Coladas are always a thirst quenching tropical delight, and if you are visiting the islands, be sure to try our very own Turks Head Draft Beer available in lager and amber.
The spacious, open-air dining room is relaxed and comfortable, with a deck that extends directly over the water. Dockside dining creates its own ambiance with the sea gently lapping against the boats and the chime-like sounds created when a halyard grazes the mast of a sailboat moored nearby. By day, turtles and fish can be spotted with keen eyes, and by night, be on the lookout for sharks that frequent the area scavenging for scraps from the days' catch thrown overboard from the charter fishing boats.
Their motto is simply this, "If we are going to do it, we try to be the best." With this tried and true formula The Sharkbite boasts an extensive variety of family-friendly menu items sure to appeal to every taste and age including even your finickiest "Little Biter."
Begin your Sharkbite experience with "Nibbles." A mixed bag of unique starters with intriguing names like Chum-Chum Chili, Quint's Quesadilla, the Missing Fingers and Nacho Frenzy, which definitely has a spicy bite! Chips, Chum-Chum Chili, cheese and fresh toppings are piled high, and I mean, piled high for the ultimate feeding frenzy!
Conch (pronounced konk) is abundant in these islands and has been a staple of the local diet dating back to the Arawak Indians. Providenciales is also home to the only conch farm in the world. Conch, a tender, sweet tasting mollusc is prepared in a multitude of ways, and considered by some to be an aphrodisiac! Conch chowder is offered on many island menus, but The Sharkbite serves theirs with a twist. Jon's version is cream-based, rather than tomato based and is thick, rich and smooth and chock-full of tender conch morsels. We also tried their conch version of the Missing Fingers. Succulent, melt-in-your-mouth pieces of conch in a crispy batter served with a sauce for dunking. Their Blackened Chicken Pasta Salad is an original signature favourite, or try the ever-popular Caesar in its classic state, or with the addition of chicken, steak or grouper. A garden-variety side salad is always available, or go all out with the Chef's Kitchen Sink Salad - need I say more?
Variety is the spice of life, and this menu serves up Big Bites in a Big Way. All menu items are served in generous portions accompanied by a generous smile. Our own local Caribbean seafood dishes including snapper, lobster, conch, grouper and mahi-mahi are prepared in a variety of tasty and imaginative ways. The Almond Crusted Grouper was an incredibly delicious menu choice and is highly recommended. A delicate filet of grouper encrusted in almonds is served on a coconut, rum and curry cream. If luck was with the fishermen, Jon may also offer a nightly special of "the catch of the day."
From Vegetable Curry Medley to Penne Pasta Gorgonzola, from Blackened Chicken Alfredo to Tandoori Chicken, from N.Y. Sirloin smothered in caramelized onions and Gorgonzola cheese to Shrimp Louisiana in a spicy Creole sauce, Jon entices you with his international flair. If a big fat juicy burger is what you are hankering for, they claim to offer the best hamburger on island - a half-pound of fresh ground sirloin with the usual regulation toppings, or dare to go beyond the norm with additional toppings including several different cheeses, grilled onions, peppers, bacon and Chum-chum Chili. Moving on to sandwiches - but definitely not your regular run-of-the-mill variety, the Goombay Grouper sandwich is served grilled, jerked or blackened, or try the cracked conch burger, Philly Cheese Steak and of course, Survivor on a Raft - grilled sirloin tips, BBQ or teriyaki style on a homemade hoagie roll. And don't forget those Little Biters - fun, kid-friendly meals for children under 12.
If you are able to indulge further, daily dessert selections are available. Chocolate cake, ice cream and Key Lime pie were the evenings offerings. A Caribbean favourite, the Key Lime Pie was very smooth and rich with the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. My husband opted for an unconventional dessert choice, a specialty cocktail appropriately named, Blue Shark. A frozen dessert in a glass, vodka, pina colada and ice cream were blended together to create a frosty, refreshing, and colourful finale to the evening.
Wednesdays have made The Sharkbite famous for their Fish and Chip Special for only $8.95. On Fridays come to enjoy 2 for 1 Happy Hour from 5 to 7 pm. And for your own piece of Sharkbite memorabilia, take home souvenir T-shirts, hats and Polo shirts donning the SharkbiteÕs popular logo.
Featured in Caribbean Travel and Life in 2002, and chosen by CNN as a must see when visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands, it is easy to see that The Sharkbite has long ago found the proven recipe for success.
Review by Mandy Rostance-Wolf
